Authorities in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China, have initiated an expanded campaign of ideological scrutiny concerning religious beliefs across various public institutions. Reports emerging in June 2024 indicate that directives from the United Front Work Department (UFWD) and the Religious Affairs Bureau (RAB) mandate increased monitoring of religious affiliations and activities among employees and students in state-owned enterprises, public institutions, schools, and hospitals.

This expansion signifies a deepening of efforts to manage and control religious practice within the public sphere, aligning with the broader national "sinicization of religion" policy. The directives aim to reinforce the alignment of religious beliefs with the doctrines of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and socialist society, preventing what authorities describe as "infiltration" and "illegal religious activities."

Key aspects of the expanded scrutiny include:

  • Institutional Reporting: Government departments, state-owned enterprises, and public institutions are now required to submit quarterly reports detailing the religious beliefs of their employees. This measure centralizes information on individuals' religious affiliations.
  • Educational Sector Focus: Schools have been specifically instructed to strengthen "ideological and political education." This includes teaching "correct religious views" to students, with an apparent emphasis on discouraging religious adherence among the youth.
  • Healthcare Sector Directives: Hospitals are mandated to enhance the management of religious venues and activities occurring on their premises. Furthermore, hospital staff are required to report any employees involved in "illegal religious activities," thereby extending surveillance into the healthcare workforce.
  • Party Member Adherence: A reinforcement of existing policy reminds cadres and members of the Chinese Communist Party that they are not permitted to hold religious beliefs. This stipulation underscores the Party's secular stance for its members.

The measures reflect a continued implementation of policies under President Xi Jinping's administration, which seeks to integrate religious practices into the national socialist framework while limiting independent religious expression. Previous actions under this campaign have included government oversight of religious texts, crackdowns on unregistered religious groups, and increased monitoring of religious figures. Chengdu, known for its religious communities, has previously seen targeted actions, such as against the Autumn Rain Covenant Church.

The new directives are expected to intensify pressure on individuals employed in public sectors and on students, fostering an environment where religious expression is increasingly scrutinized and potentially suppressed. The implementation of these policies is ongoing, with institutions across Chengdu adapting to the new reporting and oversight requirements. This development suggests a sustained governmental focus on ideological control over religious matters within public life.